Performance and Practice

One Planet Carbon is the name given The University of Bradford’s Carbon Management Plan.

The strategy sets out our vision of a 50% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 2020 and interim reduction target of 40% reduction by 2015. 

The strategy also outlines how we intend to commence our journey for reducing Scope 3 emissions.

In 2009 we made a bold decision to take the bins out of offices and replace with a widespread and highly visible recycling system. 

The system has been updated during 2010-11 to a four bin system – clean paper and card; mixed recyclables and packaging; landfill and glass. 

In our food outlets and kitchen areas we also collect food waste which is turned into compost by our Rocket.

The University has an ambitious Sustainability Specification which guides our aspiration to achieve BREEAM Outstanding for all new build and refurbishments on campus. 

The specification is used to guide each project; it may be the case that all developments may not be able to meet all the criteria due to tensions such as location, price on other issues. 

On each occasion the design team need to explain why, if any, certain targets cannot be met.

We are delighted to see the success and the benefits that this strategy has generated with exemplar developments now on campus. 

The Green is our new sustainable student village which opened in September 2011. It successfully achieved BREEAM Outstanding status and has become THE most sustainable halls of residence in the country.

Bees

In July 2010 we took steps to help improve the population of bees by installing two working hives with 30,000 honey bees on campus.

Three members of University staff have been trained as bee keepers by the Yorkshire Bee Keepers Association (external link) and the University is now host to the reformed Bradford BeeKeepers Association which draws in Bee Keepers from across the District, and creates new linkages with our local community. 

The bees have settled in well to their new home and we now have four hives and a population of about 250,000 bees.

Improving Habitats

As a result of campus regeneration projects we have increased the total amount of green space on our main campus by 7% in the past 3 years.

Our aim is for all planting schemes to be insect friendly using native or edible species. We have created and enriched seven distinct habitats on our campuses to increase species diversity and interest.

They including a new permaculture space an orchard and a biodiversity pond within The Green (our sustainable student accommodation).

Our 2008 vegetation survey showed we have 48 species of trees; 46 species of shrubs and 15 species of perennials and grasses. 

Since then we have added a further 8 species of apple tree, 5 species of shrubs (berries) and 9 species of edible herbs.

A university's procurement policy is one of its strongest ways of supporting sustainability.

The UK Higher Education sector spends over £8 billion a year on non-pay costs and the ways and means in which that money is spent has a great social and environmental impact.

From 2020 universities are required by our funding councils to report Scope 3 carbon emissions which include those generated through the procurement of goods and services.

Work is currently being undertaken to establish our baseline.

The University has been proud to receive recognition for the work around Ecoversity through a number of highly prestigious awards.  

International

• Winner of International Sustainable Campus Network Awards for Impact Category (this award recognises the impact that the Ecoversity programme has had on the University campus and wider locality; this is the first time that this prestigious award has been given to a University within Europe)

National

• Times Higher Education Award 2009 and 2010 for Outstanding Contribution for Sustainable Development
• First placed University and Gold Award in Environmental and Social Responsibility Index 2010 run by Universities that Count. Universities that Count is a programme established through a partnership between the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC); Business in the Community; CSR Consultancy Ltd and the University of Gloucestershire which enables universities and colleges to benchmark their Corporate Social Responsibility activity
• Highly Commended in the Green Gown Award 2010 for Continuous Improvement – Specific Area. This was in recognition for our application 'Being Well on Campus' which highlighted the work we have undertaken on campus improvements. Green Gown Awards recognise exceptional initiatives being taken by universities and colleges across the UK to become more sustainable. These awards have become established as a prestigious recognition of the achievements within the further and higher education sector, as well as the environmental sector
• Improved our position in the national Green League Table by moving from 10th to 7th place

Regional

• Silver Award and Most Significant Improver in the Yorkshire and Humber Business in the Community Environment Index 2010. We were also delighted to have been awarded the Regional Carbon Reduction Award and the Sustainable Transport Award 2010